While a certain Felidar Sovereign can win with 40 life, as a creature, it's much more vulnerable as every deck can answer creatures, so they can answer it, and thus I find the Test of Endurance to be more reliable for the turn or so before you win with it
Three of these sets were Universes Beyond sets, and did have an impact on Pauper
(2024-07-26) Permanents that phase out with counters phase in with those counters
But you have to admit that it is incredibly cool, so theres some room there for it to be somewhat good
Temporary Lockdown laughs in the face of those who vomit up countless, cheap mana rocks and treasures, putting a stop to early game setup
A single winning coin toss usually produces enough material to keep the ability going on future turns, and Treasure's a pretty good reward in and of itself